Thank God they put Holby in

I hope this one doesn't blow up in the Sabres' Faces. Last thing I want is Larson anywhere near Asplund and Olofsson if they both make the Swedish team. I worry more about someone like Olofsson, who is a L.W. that can score which is something the Sabres are sorely lacking. He can either walk away or re-enter the draft, not sure which if he decides not to sign with the Sabres. Losing Olofsson would really pi$$ me Off
Then again maybe I am just overreacting
- Sabrehagan

How can Olofsson reenter the draft? We own his rights. All we have to do is qualify him and he can't go anywhere.

How can Olofsson reenter the draft? We own his rights. All we have to do is qualify him and he can't go anywhere.
- sskkoo1

We own his rights until 6/1. They can't qualify him.

We own his rights until 6/1. They can't qualify him.
- Lunaion

Botterill seemed very confident both he and asplund will be signing after the tournament

We own his rights until 6/1. They can't qualify him.
- Lunaion

He becomes a UFA on 6/1? Is this like the college rule where he's earned his UFA status?

He becomes a UFA on 6/1? Is this like the college rule where he's earned his UFA status?
- sskkoo1

Yes, it's basically the same thing. I haven't checked close enough to say if he's UFA or re-enters the draft. I had thought UFA, but Sabrehagen might be right on the draft.

I just hope we sign Olofsson sooner rather than later. He is one of the few Non-first round draftee bright spots in the organization and he also fills a huge need. I am not slotting him on Eichel's wing just yet but if he can stick in the NHL and continues being a sniper eventually he can be that scoring winger we need on one of the first 2 lines.
The Sabres desperately need a top line scoring left winger but if Olofsson can keep up with Eichel or Mittelestadt he might just be able to produce on par with one. I would love a superstar on Eichel's wing but as other team's with Franchise Center's have shown, you don't always need a superstar, just someone good enough to play productive hockey with your Franchise Center.

(frank) yeah Columbus!

(frank) yeah Columbus!
- BeadyEyedDouche

Caps deserve(d) to win.

Here comes the review

You said 3 year rebuilds hero, even both current managements have publicly spoke about how they can turn things around quickly.
I studied the videos and the written articles about both. I’ve also looked into previous years/management teams and all have entertained similar plans/timeframe. You should start listening to me, I’ve been doing this for awhile.
- washedup20

But its never happened before. Sure , teams have finished last that werent necessarily the worst team in the league but nobody has tanked/gutted/completely torn down , been the worst and rebuilt to greatness in 3 years.
Its simply not possible and has never happened before.

Caps deserve(d) to win.

Here comes the review
- jcragcrumple

Any team that benches their starting goaltender in the playoffs doesn't deserve to win.

Plus, after Buffalo, my two other teams are Columbus and Colorado.

Any team that benches their starting goaltender in the playoffs doesn't deserve to win.

Plus, after Buffalo, my two other teams are Columbus and Colorado.
- BeadyEyedDouche

I have no horse in the race, but the caps were dominating. Whoever missed that wide open one timer for the caps is the goat

I just hope we sign Olofsson sooner rather than later. He is one of the few Non-first round draftee bright spots in the organization and he also fills a huge need. I am not slotting him on Eichel's wing just yet but if he can stick in the NHL and continues being a sniper eventually he can be that scoring winger we need on one of the first 2 lines.
The Sabres desperately need a top line scoring left winger but if Olofsson can keep up with Eichel or Mittelestadt he might just be able to produce on par with one. I would love a superstar on Eichel's wing but as other team's with Franchise Center's have shown, you don't always need a superstar, just someone good enough to play productive hockey with your Franchise Center.
- Sabrehagan

I hope you're right...but it's hard to get past the fact that's a 22 year old un-signed 7th round draft pick, who hasn't played in North America. He's still a long shot to be an NHL regular, let alone a top 6. I want to see him produce in Rochester, before I project anything from him.

I have no horse in the race, but the caps were dominating. Whoever missed that wide open one timer for the caps is the goat
- jcragcrumple

They need to blow that team up if they lose in the 1st round again. They can't get it done. Ovechkin could use a change of scenery. It would help them tremendously to consider trading him for a treasure trove of assets while he still has value. That core is ageing fast and they will not win a cup any time soon with it.

So who were you thinking of then?
- Wetbandit1

Ray Emery

Ray Emery
- chilliard77

Wow, a little late there are we?

Only about 4 hours.

Wow, a little late there are we?

Only about 4 hours.
- Wetbandit1

Hey I was busy being depressed

Hey I was busy being depressed
- chilliard77

I don't really know where to go with that one...

I just hope we sign Olofsson sooner rather than later. He is one of the few Non-first round draftee bright spots in the organization and he also fills a huge need. I am not slotting him on Eichel's wing just yet but if he can stick in the NHL and continues being a sniper eventually he can be that scoring winger we need on one of the first 2 lines.
The Sabres desperately need a top line scoring left winger but if Olofsson can keep up with Eichel or Mittelestadt he might just be able to produce on par with one. I would love a superstar on Eichel's wing but as other team's with Franchise Center's have shown, you don't always need a superstar, just someone good enough to play productive hockey with your Franchise Center.
- Sabrehagan

I believe olofsson is a RW. We have a damn log jam on that side.

Thank God they put Holby in
- gerbe75pts

Brandon Holby......Braden Holtby.

Brandon Holby......Braden Holtby.
- TheHank

Braden Holtby. Regular season all-star, playoff choker.

Braden Holtby. Regular season all-star, playoff choker.
- Wetbandit1

Not quite a playoff choker

Year--------GP GAA. SV%
2011-12---14 1.95 .935
2012-13----7 2.22 .922
2014-15---13 1.71 .944
2015-16---12 1.72 .942
2016-17---13 2.47 .909

I'll take him

Braden Holtby. Regular season all-star, playoff choker.
- Wetbandit1

he is the least of their problems, by a wide margin

But its never happened before. Sure , teams have finished last that werent necessarily the worst team in the league but nobody has tanked/gutted/completely torn down , been the worst and rebuilt to greatness in 3 years.
Its simply not possible and has never happened before.
- Larsson_fan

I was agreeing with you, and mocking both organizations. Both fell to the bottom, and both “believed” it would only be 3 years. At least that is what they were selling.

Both management teams tried to overcompensate for their poor choice of words, and each set their organizations backwards. Then the players/fans suffer, just like every other corporation.
I do enjoy your input btw, I don’t see either team becoming consistent contenders before 2020

I wouldn’t say it’s bad. I did my research and studied my teams roster when the embarked on their rebuild. I figured it would take 7 years from the day we drafted Hall, and I’ve studied the Sabres and Leafs roster moves throughout their processes as well. On top of that I looked at the Quebec Nordiques , Blackhawks, Kings and Penguins paths from worst to first as well.
Tho no 2rebuilds are the same, there are a whole bunch of factors that are the same no matter who or where you are.
At the end of the day, every team needs quality, reliable players in the 12 or 13 key positions. Having a great player at one position doesn’t lessen the need for competency at another. It takes almost a decade to acquire that many great assets, especially without the luxury of signing UFA’s.

Would you prefer the analysis coming from a fan of a team like Minnesota, San Jose, or Ottawa? Not sure any of them know what it means to plan a scorched earth tear down and rebuild.
- Larsson_fan

I've always considered your posts about the Sabres and rebuilds in general to be quite knowledgeable. They are a breath of fresh air from a lot of the vitriol that gets spewed in here. My gut feeling is that some posters either don't want to believe it takes time to build after stripping the team of almost all NHL talent, or they just don't want to consider your opinion because you're not a Sabres fan.

For my part, you come in here with something to say and some perspective. I for one enjoy it even though I don't comment all that often.

Cheers